I want this job because I want to grow my skills.
This phrase isn’t just common, but incredibly vague. If asked about the reasons for wanting the job, give specific examples. A better answer may be, “I want to be a better developer and working on this type of technology will make me a better programmer.”

Image 1 of 10 - What not to say in an interview

I want this job because I want to grow my skills.
This phrase isn’t just common, but incredibly vague. If asked about the reasons for wanting the job, give specific examples. A better answer may be, “I want to be a better developer and working on this type of technology will make me a better programmer.”

I want this job because I want to grow my skills.
This...phrase isn’t just common, but incredibly vague. If asked about the...reasons for wanting the job, give specific examples. A better answer...may be, “I want to be a better developer and working on this type of...technology will make me a better programmer.”

Image 2 of 10|What not to say in an interview

Getty Images/Xixinxing

My current boss is under-utilizing me.
This type of statement reflects badly on you and not your boss. Potential employers may wonder why you are not being given more responsibilities. More importantly, they will make assumptions about the type of work you produce. After all, employees who deliver quality projects are always given more to do.

Image 2 of 10 - What not to say in an interview

My current boss is under-utilizing me.
This type of statement reflects badly on you and not your boss. Potential employers may wonder why you are not being given more responsibilities. More importantly, they will make assumptions about the type of work you produce. After all, employees who deliver quality projects are always given more to do.

My current boss is under-utilizing me.
This type of...statement reflects badly on you and not your boss. Potential employers...may wonder why you are not being given more responsibilities. More...importantly, they will make assumptions about the type of work you...produce. After all, employees who deliver quality projects are always...given more to do.

Image 3 of 10|What not to say in an interview

Getty Images/Brand X

I’m bored with my current job.
This is a common answer to questions dealing with reasons for leaving your employer. And although the phrase may represent your feelings, this statement comes across as negative. It may also be seen as a red flag for the interviewer, who may wonder if you would find the work at their company boring as well. Try using phrases like “less rewarding” or “less challenging” and keep all talk about your current job positive.

Image 3 of 10 - What not to say in an interview

I’m bored with my current job.
This is a common answer to questions dealing with reasons for leaving your employer. And although the phrase may represent your feelings, this statement comes across as negative. It may also be seen as a red flag for the interviewer, who may wonder if you would find the work at their company boring as well. Try using phrases like “less rewarding” or “less challenging” and keep all talk about your current job positive.

I’m bored with my current job.
This is a common answer...to questions dealing with reasons for leaving your employer. And...although the phrase may represent your feelings, this statement comes...across as negative. It may also be seen as a red flag for the...interviewer, who may wonder if you would find the work at their...company boring as well. Try using phrases like “less rewarding” or...“less challenging” and keep all talk about your current job...positive.

Image 4 of 10|What not to say in an interview

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The products or services my former employer provided sucked.
Again, keep all talk about present or previous employers positive. Even if the products or services failed, and the company went under, refrain from saying anything negative and focus more on the day-to-day tasks you did while on the job.

Image 4 of 10 - What not to say in an interview

The products or services my former employer provided sucked.
Again, keep all talk about present or previous employers positive. Even if the products or services failed, and the company went under, refrain from saying anything negative and focus more on the day-to-day tasks you did while on the job.

The products or services my former employer provided...sucked.
Again, keep all talk about present or previous...employers positive. Even if the products or services failed, and the...company went under, refrain from saying anything negative and focus...more on the day-to-day tasks you did while on the job.

Image 5 of 10|What not to say in an interview

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That’s a very good question.
Often used as a phrase to buy time, this statement is too common and doesn’t flatter the interviewer. Instead, take your time answering and don’t feel like you have to eliminate every quiet moment with words.

Image 5 of 10 - What not to say in an interview

That’s a very good question.
Often used as a phrase to buy time, this statement is too common and doesn’t flatter the interviewer. Instead, take your time answering and don’t feel like you have to eliminate every quiet moment with words.

That’s a very good question.
Often used as a phrase to...buy time, this statement is too common and doesn’t flatter the...interviewer. Instead, take your time answering and don’t feel like...you have to eliminate every quiet moment with words.

Image 6 of 10|What not to say in an interview

Getty Images/Vetta

I had to carry the weight for my colleagues.
Although it may be a true statement, taking credit for a group project may bring up questions around your ability to lead. Good leaders are able to step up and delegate no matter the team dynamics. It also doesn’t make you look like a team player if you are bad mouthing your colleagues.

Image 6 of 10 - What not to say in an interview

I had to carry the weight for my colleagues.
Although it may be a true statement, taking credit for a group project may bring up questions around your ability to lead. Good leaders are able to step up and delegate no matter the team dynamics. It also doesn’t make you look like a team player if you are bad mouthing your colleagues.

I had to carry the weight for my colleagues.
Although it...may be a true statement, taking credit for a group project may bring...up questions around your ability to lead. Good leaders are able to...step up and delegate no matter the team dynamics. It also doesn’t...make you look like a team player if you are bad mouthing your...colleagues.

Image 7 of 10|What not to say in an interview

Getty Images/Fotosearch RF

I sometimes bump heads with my boss because…
Hiring managers will imagine themselves as your current boss and picture you saying negative things about them in the future. Even if you have a bad boss, protect his pitfalls in an interview. Doing so will make you look trustworthy in the eyes of a future supervisor.

Image 7 of 10 - What not to say in an interview

I sometimes bump heads with my boss because…
Hiring managers will imagine themselves as your current boss and picture you saying negative things about them in the future. Even if you have a bad boss, protect his pitfalls in an interview. Doing so will make you look trustworthy in the eyes of a future supervisor.

I sometimes bump heads with my boss because…
Hiring...managers will imagine themselves as your current boss and picture you...saying negative things about them in the future. Even if you have a...bad boss, protect his pitfalls in an interview. Doing so will make you...look trustworthy in the eyes of a future supervisor.

Image 8 of 10|What not to say in an interview

Getty Images/Altrendo

I’m highly accomplished.
Even though it’s acceptable to boast about your skills in a cover letter or resume, in person, it doesn’t work. Be humble and let the interviewer come to a conclusion in their own time.

Image 8 of 10 - What not to say in an interview

I’m highly accomplished.
Even though it’s acceptable to boast about your skills in a cover letter or resume, in person, it doesn’t work. Be humble and let the interviewer come to a conclusion in their own time.

I’m highly accomplished.
Even though it’s acceptable...to boast about your skills in a cover letter or resume, in person, it...doesn’t work. Be humble and let the interviewer come to a conclusion...in their own time.

Image 9 of 10|What not to say in an interview

I’m on the fast-track.
This phrase does not make you look ambitious and instead makes hiring managers jump to the next candidate. If you want to impress a potential boss, share some goals you would have as a person on his team.

Image 9 of 10 - What not to say in an interview

I’m on the fast-track.
This phrase does not make you look ambitious and instead makes hiring managers jump to the next candidate. If you want to impress a potential boss, share some goals you would have as a person on his team.

I’m on the fast-track.
This phrase does not make you...look ambitious and instead makes hiring managers jump to the next...candidate. If you want to impress a potential boss, share some goals...you would have as a person on his team.

Image 10 of 10|What not to say in an interview

Getty Images

I want a job like yours.
This kind of statement is not a compliment and makes hiring managers cringe. If asked about future career plans, use a job title instead to help illustrate your aspirations.

Image 10 of 10 - What not to say in an interview

I want a job like yours.
This kind of statement is not a compliment and makes hiring managers cringe. If asked about future career plans, use a job title instead to help illustrate your aspirations.

I want a job like yours.
This kind of statement is not a...compliment and makes hiring managers cringe. If asked about future...career plans, use a job title instead to help illustrate your...aspirations.

The San Francisco Bay Area has a unique vernacular that encompasses phrases from other regions and cultures. But while the Aussie, “No worries” or the common, “hella” may be fine to use in the casual Bay Area office scene, during an interview, they may not work. Here are 10 phrases to avoid while talking to your possible, future boss.

Belo Cipriani is an award-winning author, former staffing professional, a spokesperson for Guide Dogs for the Blind and the Writer-in-Residence at Holy Names University. Learn more at BeloCipriani.com.